California ProKart Challenge

The 2017 California ProKart Challenge wrapped up the season at the largest finale in series history. A record total of 193 entries contested the two-day Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix on September 30-October 1 to complete the California PKC six race events, as the 11 different series champions were decided. The flagship Superkarts! USA regional program will now honor the title winners and the entire championship podium at the 2017 California ProKart Challenge Championship Awards Banquet, set for October 28 at the BeX Bar & Grill in Lancaster, California.

For a fourth time in his career, Billy Musgrave will be receiving the #1 trophy for earning the most points in the Vemme Kart S1 Pro Stock Honda division. Musgrave was able to outlast S1 rookie Hunter Pickett and Matias Podboj to earn his fourth championship in five years, thanks to three wins and three runner-up finishes. Pickett came away with his first S1 victory along with Podboj, while Nic LeDuc stole the finale round at the Streets of Lancaster. Sixteen-year-old Nicky Hays was able to defend his crown in the Formula Works/CompKart X30 Senior championship race. Hays won the opening round in Buttonwillow, adding two more podium finishes to secure the championship leading up to the finale in Lancaster. Second in the standings is Michael Avansino, recording his best finish in the championship and earning his first career CPKC victory during the CalSpeed weekend. Andrick Zeen finished the season in third, highlighted by five top-five results.

X30 Senior champion Nicky Hays (Photo: DromoPhotos.com)

Jason Pettit was consistent all season long, and became a first time champion in the Mad Old Nut/Mad Croc USA S2 Semi-Pro Stock Honda division. Pettit had one victory at the Streets of Willow, placing runner-up in the five other rounds on the season to earn the championship. Kol Bailey put on a charge at the end of the season, winning the final two rounds with five straight podiums to finish second in the chase. Aaron Aguirre won twice (CalSpeed and Santa Maria) to finish the year third in the standings. The Nash Motorsportz S3 Novice Stock Honda class went down to the wire, ultimately ending with four-time race winner Zach Pettinicchi becoming a first-time CPKC champion. Pettinicchi locked up the title thanks to his winning performance at the Streets of Lancaster GP. CalSpeed winner Keawn Tandon placed second in the standings, with Anthony Fontana placing third after winning the opening round at Buttonwillow.

First-year Phil Giebler Racing X30 Master driver Jess Peterson edged out the competition to earn the championship. Placing on the podium in all five of the races he contested, including two victories, Peterson edged out Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix winner Travis Irving by a mere 30 points. Opening round winner Nick de Graaf finished the year in the third position. Rob Logan earned his first CPKC championship in the Mike Manning Karting S4 Master Stock Honda class. The now four-time Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix winner stood on the podium in all six rounds winning half the main events. Robert Marks was unable to reach the top step of the podium, coming up second in the championship chase. Nick George had four top-five results to help him finish third in the standings, a career best. John Crow nearly pulled off the perfect season in the Musgrave Racing Company S4 Super Master Stock Honda division. Crow won the first five main events on the season, coming up just short at the Streets of Lancaster GP to record a perfect year. Crow leaves with his first CPKC championship, beating Jonathan Allen and 2018 Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix Scholarship winner Darrell Tunnell.

Trey Brown has now become one of the few drivers to win a championship in two different categories. The 2014 TaG Cadet champ is now the 2017 Ryan Perry Motorsport X30 Junior title winner. Brown scored three victories in the first four rounds, amassing a large enough lead to secure the championship. Joseph Daniele was up and down on the season, earning one win and edging out the competition for the vice-championship position. Two-time Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix winner Oliver Calvo jumped to third, thanks to his performance at the series finale. Jacopo Pizzinato secured the championship in the Rolison Performance Group S5 Junior Stock Honda category.

Not just victory but sweeping the weekend at the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix helped Kai Sorensen to secure the title in the Outsource Utility Contractor Corporation Mini Swift class. The 2016 Micro Swift champion won at the opening round, and his performance at the finale helped him to move past Carson Morgan in the standings for the championship. Morgan – the SKUSA Pro Tour champion – finished the year with two victories and the vice-champion position. Daniel Inzunza had five top-five finishes to end up third. Logan Toke became the second different champion in the PKS Kart Supplies Micro Swift division. A string of four podium finishes, including two wins, helped Toke to secure the championship. Enzo Deligny had five podium results on the year to put him second in the standings while Parker DeLong, the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix winner, ended up third.

X30 Junior champion Trey Brown (Photo: DromoPhotos.com)

The 2017 California ProKart Challenge Championship Awards Banquet will be held at the Bex Bar & Grill in Lancaster, California – located at the start/finish line of the Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix circuit. All racers, guests and California PKC supporters are welcome to attend the October 28 ceremony with an advanced ticket purchase only. Doors will open at 4:30pm, with dinner, awards presentation, and raffle following. The top three in each category will be honored, along with the 2017 Team of the Year award. On the same day, the City of Lancaster is hosting a ‘BooLVD Halloween and Harvest Festival’ from 1pm-5pm for the whole family. Then BeX is hosting a Halloween Bash & Costume Contest following the California PKC banquet. Guests over 21 years of age are welcome, with no cover charge to SKUSA guests. For more on the event and to purchase your tickets ($25 for adults, $15 for children 4-10 years old) by the October 23 deadline, head to the CPKC Banquet page.

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